CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans to re-route Birmingham-bound traffic through their Coventry neighbourhood have handed a petition containing almost 2,000 signatures to council bosses....

CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans to re-route Birmingham-bound traffic through their Coventry neighbourhood have handed a petition containing almost 2,000 signatures to council bosses.

The residents, from the Allesley Old Road area of Coventry, met Cllr Kevin Maton outside the city Council House last night.

They are protesting at council plans to relieve traffic in Holyhead Road by redirecting cars and lorries towards Allesley Old Road.

Council officials want to widen the road to cope with the extra vehicles.

But the Save Old Spon campaign group, made up of residents in Chapelfields and Spon End, argues that the scheme will increase heavy traffic, road accidents, traffic jams and harmful fumes.

Their petition, accepted by Cllr Maton on behalf of Cllr John McNicholas, cabinet member for transport, outlines six key demands:

* An open debate about a proposed bus route from Tile Hill to Coventry city centre and Walsgrave Hospital.

The residents say they have no details on how the scheme will operate. And they are fighting to save a row of derelict Victorian houses in Stanley Terrace, which the council says needs to be demolished for the scheme to go ahead.

* Improved pedestrian safety in Allesley Old Road, Spon End and the Butts. Campaigners say that since the last package of improvements along the Butts, speed has increased and there have been a number of fatal accidents.

* Complete withdrawal of the plan to build a four-lane road through the area. Residents have been threatened with the scheme for years. The council says that although the plan still exists, it will not be implemented.

* Amend the Coventry Development Plan, excluding the plans to transfer Birmingham-bound traffic from Holyhead Road to Allesley Old Road.

* The preservation and sale of the Victorian Stanley Terrace houses, which will be knocked down if the plans for the road-widening scheme go ahead.

* Support from the council for the Chapelfields Conservation Area and Spon End Area of Local Distinctiveness to enhance and regenerate the whole area.

Campaigner Kevin Noble, of Northumberland Road, Spon End, said: "If the public opinion expressed in this petition does not change the council's mind then it goes to show they haven't got the public's interest at heart."

And Carole Donnelly, of Street, Chapelfields, added: "There are a lot of questions put to the council by us that have gone unanswered - questions on best value of this scheme.

"We want to make sure public money is not wasted and we want answers."

Cllr Maton, who accepted the petition in Cllr McNicholas's absence, said: "This is obviously an issue which has evoked a lot of interest.

"We are looking for a win-win situation.

"We want the best for the residents and the best long-term transport strategy for the area."